Drama

Department Overview

The Drama department is a vibrant and well established part of Horbury Academy. Drama is a compulsory subject in both Years 7 and 8, helping to develop our students into well rounded individuals with skills in independence, team work, communication and confidence. Students are then able to continue their study by taking the GCSE Drama course. The subject offers progression through further study of Drama and Theatre Studies at Level 3.

We also offer extra-curricular activities including our annual production which helps to widen students' experience in Drama.

Curriculum Leader: Miss L Fisher

Key Stage 3

Students in Years 7 and 8 study Drama for an hour a week as a discrete subject.

In Year 7 the course covers the basics of how Drama tells a story. Students study plot and character as well as learning a tool box of Drama skills from hot-seating to thought tracking. They study a range of topics from The Lion King to Silent Movies and study the play Johnny and the Dead by Terry Pratchett.

In Year 8 students advance to explore imagination and style, studying different types of theatre including improvisation and Theatre in Education.

They also use Drama to explore the world around them considering politics, history and social and moral questions. One of the ways this is done is by studying the play Brother in the Land by Robert Swindells.

Key Stage 4

Students can opt to study AQA GCSE Drama which is a two year course. The course is made up of three components. The first looks at our set text ‘The Crucible’ or ‘Blood Brothers’ and a live production. This year we are delighted to see ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ in Leeds. Component two looks at the devising elements of the subject with students devising a final piece from a range of stimuli supported with a devising log. The last component looks at the performing of scripts.

Extra Curricular

As well as our extensive curriculum study we also hold a whole academy production every year. Students from all years are included and even those who don’t wish to be on stage find a place in our stage crew. We can't wait for this year’s production of High School Musical in March 2017.

How the Drama Department actively promotes British Values through the curriculum

As a department we strive to promote the key elements of British Values including:

Tolerance of other faiths

Democracy

Rule of Law

Individual liberty

Mutual respect

In Year 7, students study the play ‘Johnny and the Dead.’ It tells the story of Johnny who, after discovering he can speak to the dead, sets out on a campaign to save his local graveyard. The very basis of our democracy in this country of fighting for what one believes in is something Johnny takes to a whole new level.

In Year 8 we study crime and punishment. Within the scheme we look at crime and punishment not just in this county and our rule of law but in other countries, including laws set down by faith. The scheme looks at real life crimes including those of freedom of speech and individual liberty.

GCSE students study ‘The Crucible’ and explore the issues of persecution, law, human nature, democracy and mutual respect. In ‘Blood Brothers’ we debate the eternal question of nature over nurture and the effect of class within society.

As a department we are also very keen to ensure our students understand the need for equality between genders. KS3 students sit boy/girl and always work in mixed groups to prepare them for life outside of the Academy

Horbury Academy is an academy supported by (and a trading name of) Accord Multi Academy Trust, a Charitable Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 07484308) whose registered office is at Storrs Hill Road, Ossett, West Yorkshire, WF5 ODG.

If, as a parent of a student attending this academy, you require a paper copy of the information on this website, we shall provide this free of charge. Please contact reception to request this.